Table Mountain National Park

A major wildfire burning through parts of Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) in Cape Town has forced the evacuation of 198 households in high-risk areas, while a female firefighter was injured and taken to hospital. The blaze, which began on Friday in Tokai, has spread across Constantiaberg and Silvermine East, blanketing the Cape Peninsula with thick smoke and prompting widespread road closures. Despite containment efforts, the fire remains uncontained, with approximately 3,000 hectares of vegetation destroyed and firefighting teams battling flare-ups driven by shifting winds.

Fire Intensifies, Threatening Communities

The wildfire, suspected to have been deliberately started according to preliminary investigations, erupted on Friday evening in the Upper Tokai area. By Saturday, firefighting crews had made significant progress in containing the blaze, but shifting wind directions and increased wind speeds caused major flare-ups on Sunday, spreading the fire toward Silvermine Dam and surrounding suburbs. “The fire remains uncontained and is now close to Boyes Drive, above St James and Kalk Bay. The right flank stretches between Ou Kaapse Weg and Steenberg Peak, with teams focused on keeping the fire from reaching Tokai, Zwaanswyk, Noordhoek, and Clovelly,” said SANParks spokesperson JP Louw.

The fire has forced the evacuation of 198 households, including 48 frail care residents from Noordhoek Manor, with additional voluntary evacuations reported in Barnyard and Silwersteen. Evacuees are being accommodated with friends, family, or at the Fish Hoek Civic Centre, where healthcare services are available. Residents with pre-existing health conditions, the elderly, and children have been urged to take extra precautions due to poor air quality caused by thick smoke.

Extensive Firefighting Efforts Underway

Approximately 250 firefighters from multiple agencies, including Table Mountain National Park, City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services, Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS), NCC Wildfires, Enviro Wildfire Services, and Provincial Disaster Management, are working tirelessly across five critical fire lines: Noordhoek, Steenberg Estate, Ou Kaapse Weg, Clovelly, and Boyes Drive. The City of Cape Town has deployed 12 major pumper fire engines, five strike teams, and five water tankers to support ground efforts.

Aerial support has been critical, with four helicopters and a spotter plane on standby for water-bombing operations. “Table Mountain has four choppers on standby, and there was an assessment this morning to track fire direction due to expected wind shifts,” said Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson for the City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services. Helicopters resumed operations on Monday morning as visibility improved, focusing on high-risk areas to prevent the fire from advancing further into residential zones.

Despite calm winds earlier on Sunday evening, conditions worsened around midnight, with strengthened winds fueling flare-ups. Fresh firefighting teams were deployed on Monday morning to relieve overnight crews, ensuring continuous efforts to contain the blaze. One female firefighter was injured during operations and is receiving treatment in hospital, marking the only reported injury thus far.

Road Closures and Public Safety Warnings

The wildfire has led to significant disruptions across the South Peninsula, with several key roads closed to ensure public safety and allow emergency vehicles unimpeded access. The following roads remain closed:

• Main Road and Boyes Drive
• Main Road, Lakeside
• Main Road and Clairvaux
• Noordhoek and Old Kaapse Weg/Boyes Drive
• Steenberg Road and Tokai Road near the traffic circle
  Ou Kaapse Weg is closed in both directions between Steenberg and Sun Valley due to thick smoke and reduced visibility, causing traffic gridlock exacerbated by onlookers. Authorities have urged the public to avoid the affected areas, particularly Upper Tokai and Silvermine, and to refrain from “rubbernecking” to prevent further congestion. All hiking trails, including the popular Elephant’s Eye footpath, are closed, and SANParks has issued immediate evacuation orders for anyone in Silvermine West (Gate 1) and Silvermine East (Gate 2).
  Environmental and Community Impact
  The fire has already destroyed approximately 3,000 hectares of vegetation, threatening the unique fynbos ecosystem of Table Mountain National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The blaze has scorched areas near Elephant’s Eye and the Gym Thickets, with crews working to prevent it from spreading into forested zones. The SPCA has emergency teams on standby to rescue animals trapped or injured by the fire, urging residents to place shallow dishes of water with rocks outside for small wildlife and to report injured animals immediately.
  While no structural damage to homes or buildings has been reported, a vehicle in the Silvermine parking area was destroyed. The fire’s proximity to residential areas, particularly Zwaanswyk, where flames have come within 200 metres of properties, has heightened concerns. Community solidarity has been evident, with residents and officials praising the tireless efforts of firefighters. Social media posts have expressed gratitude for the use of drone surveillance to anticipate fire movements and reposition crews effectively.
  Community Support and Donations
  The City of Cape Town has called for public support to sustain the firefighting teams working under gruelling conditions. Donations of water, energy drinks, energy bars, and non-perishable food items are being accepted at Lakeside Fire Station. Additional donation points have been established at Newlands Fire Base in Newlands Forest, with residents encouraged to use supermarket delivery apps to contribute essentials. These supplies are critical to keeping firefighters hydrated and nourished as they battle the blaze.
  Arson Suspicions and Ongoing Investigations
  Preliminary investigations suggest the fires may have been deliberately ignited, with multiple ignition points reported in Upper Tokai on Friday evening. Authorities are actively investigating the cause, with law enforcement maintaining a presence in the area to deter further incidents. The suspicion of arson has raised concerns, given the history of human-caused fires in the region, including the devastating 2021 Table Mountain fire, which destroyed significant cultural and ecological sites.

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